Local sheriff accused of sexually harassing female deputy

Mike Krigbaum, who’s been sheriff of Lincoln County for more than 30 years, is accused of inappropriately touching a female deputy during a training seminar at the Lake of the Ozarks in late June. By HANDOUT

LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. (KMOV) – News 4 has learned the Lincoln County sheriff is accused of sexually harassing a female deputy.

The victim says Mike Krigbaum, who has been with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department since 2009, inappropriately touched her during a training seminar at the Lake of the Ozarks in late June.

According to the victim, that same day Krigbaum sent her numerous text messages full of inappropriate comments and suggestions.

The victim has hired an attorney and is planning to file a lawsuit. A charge of harassment complaint has already been filed with the Missouri Department of Labor Industrial Relations Commission on Human Rights. The lawsuit states the sheriff’s conduct toward the victim has “become so severe and pervasive that it has made my work environment intolerably hostile and abusive.”

Krigbaum hired prominent St. Louis attorney Al Watkins, who says his client is innocent of the accusations.

“My client has one statement only to make within context of this, which is there has been no criminal behavior conducted by him and no unwelcome or inappropriate acts which have been conducted by him,” said Watkins.

Krigbaum is currently up for re-election in November.

At least one other female employee of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department has retained an attorney, claiming Sheriff Krigbaum used surveillance cameras to spy on female employees.